Totally agree, Katie. I was kind of mad, hurt and disappointed when there were no showers for my second or third (after having 2 or 3 for our first!). I wasn’t upset on my own behalf, for the stuff we might receive, but for my babies, who won’t have any shower pictures in their photo books. Many friends and relatives did at least give the subsequent babies small gifts — in my thank you notes, I generally thanked them for making the second or third baby feel like the first! These alternative suggestions are great — I’ll keep them in mind for more of my own babies, and for friends. Thank you!

Another alternative shower idea is one that my friends and I have done with great fun and success–a “frozen dinner” shower. The mama specifies any allergies or dislikes, and then guests bring casseroles, soups, quiches, etc. to fill up the freezer–and, voila, the new mother of 2 (or 3) doesn’t have to worry about making dinner for a week or two! It’s truly a gift to have a freezer full of great, homemade food in your back pocket.

It’s a matter of semantics. Some friends are gathering to celebrate the upcoming birth of my second baby this month and I am THRILLED about it. I have thrown multiple 2nd “showers” for others, but usually I call it a celebration or party instead. Yes, a small registry is encouraged (you can do an alternative one at http://www.alternativegiftregistry.org and list used or handmade items) and a small gift is generally expected. The beauty of it all is that it doesn’t just focus on the baby, but on the whole pregnancy and upcoming miracle.

I just thought of the idea of having a Usborne Book Party in honor of a pregnant mom where guests can purchase a book for the baby and the pregnant mom would be the “host” of such a party and therefore receive any rewards from the sales. It could be really neat (plus I LOVE the books!) lol

I will admit I would be turned off by a 2nd shower that was intended to be like a 1st where the woman expected big ticket items… but then… I don’t really have any friends who would do that so if I were invited to one I felt uncomfortable supporting I might not go because clearly I wouldn’t know the woman all that well anyway.

There is no tradition of baby showers where I live (Zurich) and I have a relatively small group of friends (ie expats) and all my family and friends live in the UK – hence no baby shower at all, even for blessed long awaited for baby no 1! Now expecting baby no 2 and am not holiding my breath :-)

I’ve gone to “sprinkles” for my friends… not a big crazy shower but a more laid-back luncheon, usually guests bring one new little outfit or diapers or something under $15ish… every mom deserves party time and every baby should have something new!

I really like the scrapbook page idea, that’s a good one!

and totally agree w/ “It’s really important that we support all pregnant women, whether it’s their first baby, second, or fifth. Babies are not any less special because they are not the first.”

I have a few friends who had second showers because they were having a different gender the second time around and needed “boy” or “girl” things (mostly clothes). I am on my fifth now and have never had a more than one shower! It would be nice though since this one surprised me and I have sold all my baby gear (or most of it anyway!) I do have to say though that even though I have never had a second shower, we have been “showered” with gifts from friends, family and church family with each baby (clothes mostly, sometimes a toy or two) That has been a tremendous blessing. When my son was born (after two girls) I thought I would have nothing to put him in, but mainly through hand- me – downs I have never had to buy him one clothing item! (he’s 2 1/2 now and I still haven’t had to buy him any clothes!) I don’t have all the stuff most people think is necessary either. I don’t have a crib (pack n play works fine), changing table, baby tub, bath chair, highchair, swing, or stroller. I did have some of this and got rid of it because i never used it and found it to be cumbersome or just not helpful! the rest either broke down a couple of babies ago or I never had to begin with :)

personally.. I think every baby deserves a gift/blessing/Celebration of some sort! After I made it to 15 weeks with this one and no one had offered a shower, I decided to take heed my friends advice (who throws herself a bday party every year lol) and sent out msg to some of my friends saying I was going to have a fondu and wine party to celebrate this baby girl to be. I was not going to register as I did not expect gifts.. but I DID want to celebrate her. To my surprise, one of my friend decided to move back from out of state and was shocked no one had offered to host a shower for me. She insisted on taking over the party, hosting it and said I should register. I couldnt have been more excited. She is also giving me a blessing way at the beginning of the shower!
I was also surprised to find out that my church would be giving me another small one. To which I am doubly blessed. I honestly didnt expect one since they had JUST given me one for my twins right after their birth and its barely been a year since that (this one was a HUGE surprise)

I did get very upset at the fact that my church made a new rule that only your 1st baby would have a baby show! Not for the fact that I would get stuff for my 2nd baby because… I could fully get all of what I need for our 2nd one! But that I would of been happy with just a cake and punch for the celebration of my second one! I felt like I was dumped by my church and the ones who should have pulled up to the plate didn’t. But get this we had baby showers for girls at our church for ones that had more than one! I have carried this for 2 years now… of anger and just finally was getting over it and guess what they are now having baby showers for ladies that have more than one go figure!!!